Stigma is far-reaching and deeply damaging. Prejudice drives people to become depressed, isolated and in the worst cases, commit suicide. We’re often unaware that we’re making judgments that stigmatise but changing our attitudes and being more mindful of our behaviour can literally save lives. Our aim is to end stigma and build empathy.

Empathy saves lives.

We believe creativity is a powerful way to challenge hate and stigma. From film, music, art and spoken word, these are all ways we can connect with and learn from each other.

This year we are launching ‘Be a Music Star’. It is inspired by the life of an amazing young person at Life in my Shoes who spent his life struggling against hate and misunderstanding. Whatever life threw at him, he never gave up, always rising above any challenges with dignity and hope.

Backed by a host of high profile ambassadors including Emeli Sande, Jessie J, Tinie Tempah, Labrinth, Rudimental, Danny O’Donaghue and Sway, the ‘Be a Music Star’ competition winner will get the chance to have a song produced by an acclaimed music producer and be mentored by music industry professionals.

Competition launching soon

Life in my Shoes is an important campaign which connects young people with issues that they should know about.Ashley Walters, star of C4’s
BAFTA Award-winning ‘Top Boy’

The Life in my Shoes Academy is built on Body & Soul’s 18 years’ experience of working with people who face some of life’s biggest challenges. In all that we do, Life in my Shoes’ projects are about building the skills and tools to ensure young people do not live in despair and that the world we live in is free of stigma. Whether it’s a photography exhibition, speaking at conferences, school outreach or our online education resources and films, the Life in my Shoes Academy harnesses the courage within us all to build empathy and end stigma around the world.

On the following pages there are in-depth resources for individuals and organisations to better-understand life in each other’s shoes, build empathy and end stigma. For more information on resources we can offer, please contact us: emily@bodyandsoulcharity.org or 0207 923 6880

‘Undefeated’ (Cert.15) is an inspirational story of youth, hatred, courage and pace in inner city London. This is one girl’s struggle to survive in a world intent on holding her back. ‘Blessing’ dreams of stillness, but has a secret that has forced her to run her whole life. When the school secretary exposes her secret, she has to face her fears, her future, her friends and herself.

Debuting a fresh and original voice, award-winning director Tudor Payne holds nothing back in his portrayal of London youth in order to capture a gritty story with a witty and dynamic edge. Featuring a cast of fresh young talented performers and starring the winner of a National Star search, this film challenges the fears and misunderstanding surrounding HIV and forces us to sit up and see things from a different perspective.

This resource is aimed at anyone working with young people aged 14+. It centres around the film ‘Undefeated’ (cert.15) and ‘Spotlight Series’; a collection of short films based on the real life stories and experiences of young people living with HIV.

Comprehensive facilitator guidance and lesson plans associated with the films are provided on the following pages, as well as options for further training and speaker opportunities for Life in my Shoes team to deliver these.

On the following pages you will find film, photography, music, games and educational resources to engage and inspire better understanding of life in each other’s shoes, building greater empathy. If you would like to share useful links or resources please get in touch

Life in my Shoes celebrates difference by seeing life from other people’s perspectives. If you have something you think will increase understanding and empathy, share your story…what’s life like in your shoes?

With 18 years’ experience of working with the most marginalised groups in society, we understand the power of feeling valued.In 2011 we launched Life in my Shoes; an ambitious campaign determined to make real and lasting change and to actively transform the world we live in, to be a world with greater empathy.

Life in my Shoes appointed director Tudor Payne to head up the creative campaign and transform stories of stigma and discrimination into captivating film and multimedia content which give people the rare chance to step into the shoes of the ‘other’, enabling a powerful transformation to take place. When we become more mindful, we are able to feel greater empathy and all of us feel more valued.

I’m proud to be part of Life in my Shoes which helps raise much needed empathy and understanding around HIV.Kate Moss.

Studies show that people who face stigma often end up in poorer housing and lower paid jobs and are more likely to be affected by poorer physical and mental health. But, the most damaging symptoms of stigma are those that lead to isolation, depression and in the worst cases suicide.

Although most people know that HIV cannot be transmitted through holding hands or sharing a cup, concerningly, this knowledge is not consistently reflected in many people’s behaviour towards people who are HIV positive. There is a disconnect between what we know and how we choose to apply this knowledge.

While 81% of young people knew HIV could not be transmitted by sharing a cup, only 27% of them went on to say they would drink from the same cup as someone who they knew was HIV positive.

We set out to make change. To change the hate and stigma that we are all impacted by in the world. We want to increase understanding and empathy to create a kinder world.

Research agencies OPM and TNS continued our research around stigma, empathy and feeling valued. We asked young adults aged 16-24 about what life is like for a young British adult today:

• Only 10% of those questioned felt connected with their community

• Only 11% of young people said that they felt like their opinions are valued

• 29% of respondents reported feeling misunderstood

Nationwide, only 1/3 of young people questioned said that they felt happy.

Life in my Shoes is about ending stigma and building empathy and many of the world’s leading stars like to get involved and show support. Whether it’s musicians, designers, academics or activists, our projects are amazing because we work with amazing people.

Tinie Tempah

Rapper

Labrinth

Singer-songwriter and record producer

Jessie J

Singer and Songwriter

Schuh

I think that its important to support campaigns such as life in my shoes, because it portrays the truth in that HIV/AIDS can affect anybody at any age and the more awareness that can be brought to this subject should reduce the level of ignorance and increase our understanding so we can all focus on ways to help those affected.

Sway

Rapper and Producer

Suki Dhanda

Photographer

Standard Chartered

HIV is innocent and yet we are still criminalising it, it is unfathomable that we make people who are already suffering go through the cruel reality of being excluded from society all because we are frightened. but even more shocking is that we are inflicting unnecessary stress and pain on children - our society should be holding anyone with any illness especially HIV with warm loving arms and a sense of reassurance that life is bigger and beyond a virus it should not define us or dictate any limitations on our ability to be happy.

Sam Roddick

Activist and founder of Co Co de Mer

Rudimental

Band

Rankin

Photographer

Pentagram

HIV is not something that should provoke hatred. Coping with a positive HIV diagnosis is hard enough without having to manage the fear and judgement of the rest of society. I am proud to be part of Life in my Shoes exhibition which helps raise much needed empathy and understanding around HIV.

Kate Moss

Model

ITV

The most powerful thing about Life in my Shoes are the young people who are at its core.

Emily Head

Actor and Body & Soul patron

Emeli Sande

Singer, Songwriter and Body & Soul patron

The more we can do to educate help educate young people; the more we can to make life easier for those actually living with HIV

Dr Christian Jessen

Doctor and TV presenter

The idea of anyone having to struggle alone because they are different from their peers is upsetting. The thought of my children not having anyone to turn to because they felt different, breaks my heart. We all need to be part of creating an environment where we understand each other’s lives better, where we put ourselves in someone else’s shoes. The Life In My Shoes exhibition reaches out and shows that people care. We should all take the time to learn a bit more about life in each others’ shoes.

Denise Lewis OBE

Retired British Athlete

Body and Soul has a special place in my heart, I simply want to see young people enjoying their life and being in an environment where they feel safe and happy. Visiting Body and Soul and meeting the young people there, I definitely saw and felt that.

Christine Ohurghu MBE

British Athlete and Body & Soul patron

Life in my shoes is a fantastic project created and devised by the same people the project is there to help. it has a clear and very realistic message and having been involved in the audition process I know it will involve a lot of talented young people. this project will hopefully get people, especially the younger generations talking about HIV more and dispelling any untruths about what is now a very different condition to what it was 20 years ago.

Blake Harrison

Actor

Being a young person can be really tough. As a young man who grew up in London, I know how much pressure there can be to fit in. Young people can all too easily feel disconnected and end up feeling isolated and alone. Life in my Shoes is an important campaign that not only challenges negative attitudes towards difference; it connects young people with issues that every young person should know about.

Ashley Walters

Actor

We all need to take action to change the world we are living in, to create a society that is embracing of difference and that does not stigmatise against any communities.

Annie Lennox

Singer, Songwriter & Activist. Body & Soul Patron

Body and Soul

Body & Soul is a pioneering UK charity promoting the respect, dignity and wellbeing of children, teenagers, adults and families living with and closely affected by HIV in the UK. Body & Soul is a safe place that helps everyday people deal with the everyday challenges that HIV sets before them and the people they love. Experience has taught us that HIV can exert a powerful impact on all aspects of the lives of people living with and closely affected by the virus. Our experience has also taught us however, that with the right interventions at the right time, resilience and hope can be developed. The intricacies of life that seem insurmountable can be overcome and transformed beyond belief.

Body & Soul is unequivocally committed to a world free of stigma, and prejudice where HIV is no longer discriminated against and where everyone has access to treatment, love and care.

We all need to be part of creating an environment where we understand each other’s lives better, where we put ourselves in someone else’s shoes. Denise Lewis OBE

Here are some valuable links to organisations you can contact for help.